Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Montana, said one or two potential problems were identified in the changes bill.

Washington (CNN) - The Senate launched debate Tuesday on a House-passed bill to make changes in the hours-old health care reform law, with Republicans promising to use every parliamentary tool available to undermine or defeat the measure.

The so-called "fixes" bill was necessary to get reluctant House Democrats to approve the Senate's version of the health care reform bill. By approving the Senate version Sunday night, the House sent the bill to President Obama, who signed it into law on Tuesday.

However, House Democrats only agreed to support the health care bill if the fixes measure accompanied it to make some changes in the Senate version. Now the Senate must approve the fixes bill so Obama also can sign it.

Democrats admit they have concerns that Republicans may be successful in changing the delicately balanced package. Any changes would force the bill back to the House for another vote.

soundoff(42 Responses)

There is nothing more exciting than to watch the losers gravel! This has been a very tuff week for the special interest people and the GOP. The people have won, now get over it!

March 23, 2010 07:08 pm at 7:08 pm |

hongli

The Republicans are "BOTTOM FEEDERS" or " BASEMENT DWELLERS". LIARS and TUGS.

March 23, 2010 07:20 pm at 7:20 pm |

Jim

Is it asking too much for the Republicans to stop their parliamentary dirty tricks and let the Senate majority vote take place on the healthcare reconciliation? They can take up their opposition in the fall elections. That might restore some dignity to the Republican name.

This fall, I think most Americans will realize what the leaders of 50,000 religious sisters realized: that healthcare reform will 1) protect policyholders, 2) expand enrollment, 3) make premiums more affordable, 4) reduce the deficit by $138 billion and 5) launch cost-cutting pilot programs.

March 23, 2010 07:21 pm at 7:21 pm |

carlos

let those repulsive, repugnants make all the noise they want.....it gives us LIBERALS, DEMOCRATS more RESOLVE to kick their butts out of congress and DC, with their thin resume, they will have to line up at the unemployment lines......really doubt anyone would hire them

March 23, 2010 07:34 pm at 7:34 pm |

No Incumbents 2010

In his quest to become the Joe Wilson of Lubbock, Texas, Randy Nogoodbugger has no shame and his sense of hyperbole appeals only to the lowest common denominator of humanity. Calling Stupak a baby-killer was a dangerous afront to civility and decorum. Perhaps Randy has the same view of the Catholic organizations that endorsed HCR? Does Randy want the Members who passionately disagree with him to treat him the same way he treated Stupak? Like Joe Wilson, Randy will say anything to get famous and raise money for his campaigns. Now Randy has reduced himself to being irrelevant in Washington, nothing more than a gadfly and heckler. We are all dumber for having listened to Randy's vicious and juvenile outburst.

March 23, 2010 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

Steve

Yeah... Right... Listen to the Rebuplicans! "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

Your fear mongering got your butts kicked out of office before. What makes you think that people will still listen to your chicken little tactics again? Didn't work for Social Security or Medicare, and it won't work now. Rev up your little propoganda machine and try to scare a few more. Good luck. (I really wish better luck on those foolish enough to really believe that you have their best interest at heart...)

March 23, 2010 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

Lisa P

The Republicans aren't just losers, they're sore losers. See the U.S.S. GOP sink further under the waves. Good-bye U.S.S. GOP!

March 23, 2010 07:59 pm at 7:59 pm |

ANTHONY

Because thats what they do BEST.

They are the privileged, and we are the undeserving.
Hell, our tax dollars PAY for their health care.
For a country that calls itself the land of the free, the normal citizen sure has had to fight for what little freedoms they have.

I can't believe The republicans are trying to take health care away from sick and dieing Americans!

March 23, 2010 08:05 pm at 8:05 pm |

ED FL

THE GOP[goofy old politicians] better watch out they may try to get a ruling on a matter that could rescind all like [and older matters that were imposed by former presidents including some GOP programs that have been in effect for a long time, not that the GOP had many programs that were for the less advantaged but some they had for their wealthy benefactors. BE CAREFUL you may get burned,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 23, 2010 08:06 pm at 8:06 pm |

double standard

You the GOP ...DO NOT SPEAK for me !!You need to find a new line of work..I think John Macain should be fired if he is not going to work for the people !!

March 23, 2010 08:09 pm at 8:09 pm |

Minnesotan

Republicans: The NEW Axis of Evil.

March 23, 2010 08:10 pm at 8:10 pm |

Laverne

Satan and his followers will stop at nothing to steal, kill and destroy! Dems, gird up for the fight of your life cause these republicans are not going to give up any time soon and this cause is worth fighting. Don't get weary and don't begin to doubt cause there will surely be some long days and nights ahead, just remember the race is not given to the swift and strong, but to the one who endures to the end so I pray for your endurance, keep moving!

March 23, 2010 08:14 pm at 8:14 pm |

cjg

The repubs cannot stand to lose, they will try anything and all things , true or not to derail this bill. I pray that enough people will actually read this bill , see the positives and fight for this much needed reform.

March 23, 2010 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

Buddy Gilmour

Oh so they are just getting started on that now?

March 23, 2010 08:39 pm at 8:39 pm |

stevetall

This is not a surprize, especially considering all the work the Republicans did to block any progress at all on this critical domestic issue.

Good news, bozos! You're all fired! (or should be!)

March 23, 2010 08:53 pm at 8:53 pm |

LoveThyNeighbor

Well, when you have NO agenda, you just piggyback off the ones who do...Sam